On this course you will spend the morning in my home in the Staffordshire countryside creating your own textile sample pieces featuring flowers, grasses and seed heads.

This workshop is the perfect introduction to free motion embroidery, or a good 'refresher' to this exciting technique. You will spend the morning learning how to set up your machine correctly then watching my demonstrations and creating your own sample pieces. This is the same as the full-day course but you won't create a larger, complete design that students do in the afternoon.

It takes place from 10am - 12.30pm.

If you are a complete beginner, or just need a little extra practice before moving on to one of my other workshops, I'd recommend doing this workshop first.

Free motion embroidery is an exciting technique where you are able to 'draw' with the sewing machine by lowering the feed dogs and moving the fabric around under the needle. It is also known as freehand sewing and thread painting. This is a technique that I have really refined over the years and I use it in all my textile pieces. I have a lot of experience in free-motion embroidery and you will learn how to use the sewing machine to its full potential - you'll be amazed at the results!

See the photos for examples of lovely work from previous workshop participants, plus examples of flowers and grasses from my handmade collection. Please note these are the finished pieces; your sample pieces will be slightly smaller.

What previous participants say:

"I absolutely loved this course. Jo is a talented and imaginative artist. Her excellent tutoring meant that the instructions were clear and set at a good pace. She didn’t intrude but was always available to help. Would thoroughly recommend a course with Jo. "

"Friendly atmosphere, clear instruction and encouragement from Jo. I felt filled with confidence, and as a result produced something I was surprised I was so pleased with!"

What to bring - please read!

Please bring your sewing machine, general sewing kit, sharp scissors and an embroidery hoop. If you want to bring your own design ideas please do so. Embroidery hoops will be available to purchase at the workshop (subject to availability) at £3.50 each.

You will also need to have a sewing machine where the feed dogs can be lowered to enable free-motion stitching, as well as a darning/embroidery foot for your machine.

If you don't have a sewing machine, you are welcome to rent one for £5.00, please select 'Rent a Sewing Machine' below.

I have a supply of fabrics, threads and design ideas that you will be welcome to use!

All workshops take place in my studio or house, in the countryside in Whitgreave, just outside of Stafford (a five minute drive from Junction 14 of the M6). My postcode is ST18 9SP and house is 'Pine Ridge'.

Places on each workshop are limited to eight (with the exception of the Fabric Painting and Interpreting a Paper Image in Fabric workshop which are just four students) so that I am able to spend as much time with each workshop participant as possible. If we are a group of four or fewer we'll be in my lovely garden studio; any number between five and eight and we'll be in my newly-renovated house with lots of natural light and space.

You will benefit from tailored, small group tuition and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Hot drinks and cake will be supplied throughout the day!

Workshop students are also entitled to 10% off any item of printed homewares (cushions, cards, lampshades, bags, coasters, placemats and chopping boards) purchased on the day of the workshop.

Places on the workshop are refundable in full less a 10% PayPal admin fee, if cancelled up to one month before the date of the workshop. You can also transfer onto a different workshop of your choice at this point.

If you need to cancel after that, you may do so up to 7 days before the date of the workshop at which point a full refund (less 10%) can be given in the event that I am able to sell the place. You can then re-book onto a different workshop but no exchanges will be offered this close to the workshop date.

No refunds or exchanges will be given if cancelled 7 days or fewer before the workshop (but you can send a friend in your place instead!).

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